Vacuum cleaning system.



J. R. PETTIFORD. VACUUM CLEANING SYSTEM.

APPLIUATION FILED APR. 20, 1911.

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.J. R. PETTIFORD. VACUUM CLEANING SYSTEM. APPLICATION FILED APR. 20, '1911.

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JOHN R. PETTIFORD, OF ST. LOUIS, MISSOURI, ASSIGNOR TO CHARLES E. GAFFNEY, OF ST. LOUIS, MISSOURI.

VACUUM CLEANING SYSTEM.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented May 1-1, 1912.

Application filed April 20, 1911. Serial No. 622,204.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, JOHN R. PETTIFORD, a citizen of the United States, residing at St. Louis, Missouri, have invented a new and useful Vacuum Cleaning System, of which the following; is a speclfication.

This invention relates to a vacuum cleaning system or apparatus, and an object is to produce an efficient cleaning system or apparatus comprising a steam generating coil connected with a source of water supply, and heated by direct application of heat from the burner, in combination with a system of pipes into which the steam is injected effectively to cause a strong and steady and uniform movement of air, devices intermediate the steam generator and injector or aspirator which control the passage of steam, and connections for applying the air draft at any desired location.

There are other objects of the invention which appear plainly from the following detailed description and do not require specific mention, the mechanism whereby the various objects are attained being recited in the appended claims. In the accompanying drawings in which I have illustrated a preferred embodiment of my invention Figure 1 is an elevation (a part of the water supply and pressure tank being in section) of the principal parts of the system or apparatus. Fig. 2 is a plan view of the steam generator, a part of the hood or cover being removed to reveal the steam generating coil. Fig. 3 is a sectional view of the steam generator and aspirator. The water tank 1 is supplied with water througha water supply pipe 2 which is provided with an ordinary check-valve 3 which closes to prevent back or outward flow of the water. In the present embodiment the tank 1 is provided with a partition 4, above which is a compressed air chamber and below which is the water chamber An air pump 5 has pipe connections 6, whereby the air chamber may be supplied with compressed air, said pipe being controlled by a check-valve 7, which closes toward the air pump. There is a passage 8 fromv the air chamber to a point above the water level in the water chamber, which passage is controlled by a pressure reducing valve 9, whereby substantially uniform pressure may be exerted upon the water.

A steam generating coil 10 is supplied arrangement being such that the heat from the burner will be thrown against the entire under surface of the generator coil structure. Liquid or gaseous fuel is supplied to the burner through a fuel supply pipe 14, controlled by .a valve 15 from which a pilot light jet pipe 16 leads into the burner 13 and terminates adjacent to the point of fuel egress as indicated by dotted lines in Fig. 1. This provision permits the use of any of the well known devices for opening the valve 15 from other rooms or parts of the building; such appliances being particularly well known in connection with furnaces and the like for opening and controlling dampers, doors, etc. The steam generating coils are inclosed by a cover or hood 17 which assists in confining and equalizing the heat on all sides of the pipe coils. The support 12 is provided with holes 18 through which air is admitted, as required to maintain the burner in operation and outlet openings 19 are formed through the cover or'hood 17 permitting circulation and: escape of the heated air.

The upper end of the steam generating pipe coil protrudes through an opening in the top of the cover or hood 17 and a valve chamber 20 is connected to the end of the pipe coil, as clearly illustrated in Fig. 3. The valve chamber 20 is provided with a removable top 21 having a tubular extension 22 in which there is a tapering passage 23. A float device 2 1 within the valve chamber 20 has a pointed projection 25 extending into the passage 23 and constituting a valve or closure which is normally closed and is effective to prevent any flow of water through said passage 23, since the water within the valve chamber upholds the creating a suction or draft through asuction plpe or main 29 to which any suitable sweeper or suction head may be connected. The pipe 28 constitutes a discharge pipe into and through which the particles brought in through the pipe 29 will be discharged by-the pressure or draft from the ejector or aspirator. Vhen gaseous fuel is used it is preferable that the fuel supply pipe 14 be equipped with a mixer 14* for the admission of air into the gas, the purposes and uses of such devices being well understood in connection with gas burners, etc.

From the foregoing description it will be understood that there is a constant supply of Water into the steam generating coils and that a uniform pressure of the water will be maintained continuously. The supply of steam will be generated very quickly by the heat applied directly to the steam generating coils. The float valve 24 25 is automatic in its operation and is effective to control and regulate the passage of steam into the pipe connection 26; thence the steam passes through the aspirator or ejector 27 into and through the outlet or discharge pipe 28, creating the required suction or draft whereby particles will be drawn into and through the receiving pipe or main 29 and delivered into the outlet or discharge pipe; whence they will be carried and delivered at any suitable point of discharge. The system of piping 28 and 29 may be free and removable or may be an installed or permanent system as preferred or as the exigencies may require. The ar rangement of the various parts, including the float valve and the aspirator, is effective when in operation to maintain a constant suction or draft in and through the pipe 29 and through the pipe 28. The construction is simple and very eflicient and parts or units constituting and comprising the system may be of such dimensions as to be readily portable.

I am aware that there may be many modifications in the construction, combination and arrangement of the parts and units comprising the system, without departure from the spirit and nature of the invention. This will be apparent to those skilled in the art to which this invention pertains, and many such modifications will readily suggest themselves. I do not restrict myself to specific features, but

hat I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States is 1. In a vacuum cleaning system, a fuel burner, a steam generating coil arranged to be heated by said burner, a hood inclosing said coil, a valve chamber connected to the upper end of said coil, a float valve in said valve chamber, an exhaust pipe, a passage from said exhaust pipe to said valve chamber, a valve for said passage controlled by said float, an aspirator in said passage projecting into said exhaust pipe, and a suction pipe opening into said exhaust pipe, substantially as specified.

2. A vacuum cleaning system, comprising a water tank, a compressed air chamber located above said tank, a passage between said air chamber and said water tank, a valve in said passage effective to maintain substantially uniform pressure on the water in said tank, a water supply pipe leading from said tank, a pipe coil connected to said supply pipe, a burner arranged to supply heat to said generator, a passage leading from the upper end of said coil, a valve in said passage, an exhaust pipe into which said passage leads, a suction pipe, an aspirator in said passage through which steam passes effectively to create a suction in said suction pipe, and discharge matter drawn in through said suction pipe into said exhaust pipe, substantially as specified.

In a vacuum cleaning system, the conr bination with a steam generating coil, a burner for supplying heat to said coil to generate steam, a valve case connected to said coil and arranged to receive a quantity of water, and a steam outlet from said valve case, of a valve within said valve case held in adjustment to close said outlet by the water in said valve case when the cleaning system is idle, and automatically moved to open said outlet when heat is applied to said generating coil, and suction and exhaust pipes controlled by the steam passing from said valve case when said valve opens said outlet, as aforesaid, substantially as specified.

4:. A vacuum cleaning system, comprising in combination, a steam coil, a burner arranged to supply heat to said coil effective to generate steam in said coil, a valve chamber connected to said coil arranged to receive water from said coil, a passage lead ing from said valve chamber, a float valve in said valve chamber arranged to close said passage when water rises from said coil into said valve chamber, and to open said passage when water recedes in said valve chamber, a water tank operatively connected to said coil whereby water is supplied to said coil, and a pressure tank connected to said water tank effective to maintain water in said coil and said valve chamber whereby the passage leading from said valve chamber is closed or sealed when the system is idle, substantially as specified.

5. A system of the character described comprising in combination, a steam generating coil, a valve chamber arranged to receive water from said coil, a passage from. said valve chamber, an exhaust pipe communicating with said valve chamber by means of said passage, a suction pipe communicating with said exhaust pipe, an aspirator in said passage, a float valve in said valve chamber arranged to close said passage when water is in said valvechamber, means for supplying water to said coil under substantially uniform pressure, and to maintain water in said valve chamber when the system is idle, a burner arranged to supply heat to said coil whereby steam may be generated eflectively to cause said passage from said valve chamber to open and permit the passage of steam through said aspirator creating a suction in said suction pipe, and causing the discharge of matter drawn into said suction pipe into said exhaust pipe, substantially as specified.

6. A system of the character described comprising a steam generating coil, a chamber connected to said coil arranged to receive water from said coil, an exhaust pipe, a suction pipe communicating with said exhaust pipe, a tapering passage leading from said chamber to said exhaust, a float in said chamber, a pointed projection on said float arranged to extend into said passage effectively to close said passage when water rises in said chamber, a burner arranged to supply heat to said coil thereby to generate steam in said coil; said steam automatically opening .said valve and escaping through said exhaust pipe creating a suction in said suction pipe, and causing a discharge of the matter drawn into said suction pipe into said exhaust pipe, substantially as specified.

7. In a vacuum cleaning apparatus, a steam generator, means for supplying water to said generator under constant and uniform pressure, a burner arranged to supply heat to said generator, a chamber opening into said generator, a passage from said chamber, a float in said chamber, a closure for said passage controlled by said float, an exhaust pipe connected with said passage, an aspirator in said passage projecting into said exhaust pipe, and a suctlon pipe opening into said exhaust pipe, substantially as specified.

In witness whereof, I have signed this specification in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

JOHN R. PETTIFORD.

Witnesses:

L. G. KINGSLAND, FREDERICK C. SCHAFER.

Conies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents. Washington, D. G. 

